Statistics from the United States Department of Agriculture tell a dismal tale. Most Americans get a little more than half of what is considered an adequate intake of dietary fiber.

Healthy foods help us cleanse our bodies of toxins, pollutants and waste products. When we do not cleanse our bodies with healthy foods, our immune system tries to handle the job itself. We don't want to overwhelm our immune system with these tasks. Doing so could weaken our ability to fight off the viruses and bacteria that cause disease and may cause chronic inflammation to take its toll on our bodies.

According to National Geographic, we discharge 700,000 tons of pollutants into our water, air and earth every day. Increasing levels of exposure to exotic chemicals takes a toll on our immune system, and a weak or failing immune system opens the door to a host of diseases. Therefore, it is necessary that we recognize our body's need to cleanse from within, a process that can be effectively accomplished through a healthy diet.

In Nutritional Immunology, it’s all about the micronutrients as opposed to the macronutrients. Nutrients are substances needed for growth, metabolism and other body functions. Macronutrients are nutrients that provide calories or energy. Since “macro” means large, macronutrients are nutrients needed in large amounts, namely carbohydrates, fats and protein.  The United States Department of Agriculture includes fiber and water in the list of macronutrients as well. Micronutrients, on the other hand, are needed only in minuscule amounts. These substances are many and varied. They enable the body to produce enzymes, hormones and other substances essential for proper growth and development. As tiny as the amounts are, however, the consequences of their absence are severe.